- Definition
An interval is a range of numbers between two specific points, like saying a child is between 5 and 10 years old.
The numbers on a number line from -2 to 3 form an interval that includes -2, 3, and all the numbers between them.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An interval is like the space on a ruler between two marks, including all the tiny measurements that fall in between.
Ask your child: If a game level is for ages 8 to 12, what ages can play?
Common mix-up: Kids may think an interval only includes the whole numbers between two points. An interval actually includes all the numbers in between, including fractions and decimals.
Examples
- The time between 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. is a 15-minute interval.
- A bar on a graph showing students 10-12 years old represents a three-year age interval.
interval is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
